Combine filters to narrow the list. Months reflect referenced cycles, not live availability. Status is dated to each review; read the cycle details before applying.
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A completed original feature with a distinctive voice and strong command of craft.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Academy Nicholl Fellowships
What it offers
Up to five fellowships, selected through Academy judging; a significant industry credential. A portal recommendation is not a fellowship.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+; lifetime covered writing earnings must not exceed USD 25,000. Original English-language feature, normally 80–125 pages; teams of two only. Read the full exclusions and earnings definition.
Location & commitment
International writers can seek entry through the public partner portals; institutional partners have their own nomination routes.
How to submit
Use The Black List or Writers Guild Foundation public portal, or an eligible nominating partner. There is no general direct-entry Academy contest.
Verified cycle & timing
2026–27: Black List June 8–July 6 (2,500-entry cap); WGF June 22–July 20 (2,000-entry cap). Both windows have ended. Awards expected spring 2027; next cycle unannounced.
Application & participation
Portal terms and entry amounts differ. Check the referring organization before submitting.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Athena Film Festival Writers Lab
What it offers
Craft training, notes and rewrites; selected writers advance to mentoring and pitching. Lab participants can qualify for related Athena fellowships.
Eligibility & script requirements
English features 80–120 pages or pilots up to 60. Writers cannot have a produced feature/pilot in the respective track. Anonymized scripts; underlying adaptation rights required.
Location & commitment
Virtual program; applications welcomed across backgrounds. Story requirements concern the protagonist, not an exclusive writer gender.
How to submit
Apply through Athena’s Writers Lab call. Later phases require a revised script and further selection.
Verified cycle & timing
Reviewed cycle applied June 2–July 7, 2025 and ran through April 2026. Next call not confirmed.
Feature · TV pilot · Short / International applicants
A finished script whose writer would use festival mentoring and community.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition
What it offers
Winners receive festival access, travel support and cash: feature USD 500, pilot USD 350, short USD 250. Feature winners also join a screenwriters retreat.
Eligibility & script requirements
Features 70–130 pages; pilots 10–70; shorts 5–40. Original material or rights-controlled adaptations; no existing-show specs or replacement drafts.
Location & commitment
International writers and all ages welcome; minors may need an adult entrant. Festival in Atlanta.
How to submit
PDF via the official FilmFreeway link. Georgia writers can request a 50% entry discount.
Verified cycle & timing
Published 2026 submission rounds: October 16 late, November 6 extended. FAQ contains a contradictory 2027 year in one sentence; confirm the final cutoff.
Application & participation
Entry varies by category and round; see the submission table. Limited waivers and Georgia discounts.
English-language work; applicants must not currently earn their living writing film/TV or have WGA writing credits. No sale, option or shopping agreement before October 29, 2026. Prior AFF semifinalist-or-higher scripts cannot re-enter; produced shorts are ineligible.
Location & commitment
Online submissions; conference and relationship-building opportunities are in Austin, Texas. Check current rules for your circumstances.
How to submit
AFF’s own Script Competition form; choose the correct feature, short, pilot or spec category. Some fellowships require an additional category entry.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 entries closed after reaching capacity before the advertised May 27 late deadline. Published rounds: March 27, April 24, May 27. Spring is a planning window, not a confirmed 2027 call.
Application & participation
2026 base entries: USD 50–90 by format and round; some fellowship categories add USD 30. Budget separately for attendance.
An emerging UK-connected comedy writer with a strong voice and an ongoing television series engine.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition
What it offers
Three finalists receive a BAFTA showcase, mentoring session and conditional BAFTA Connect access. Eligible entries receive an assessment; no cash award is promised.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+; at least one named writer must be a UK tax resident or UK passport holder. No prior creation/origination/commission to write a series for a major broadcaster or streamer.
Location & commitment
UK connection required; finalists must attend the London showcase.
How to submit
Rocliffe’s entry process: anonymous PDF with synopsis, series overview, extract introduction and up to ten script pages. Read the strict original-work and AI rules.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 TV comedy deadline September 16; now past. Showcase scheduled November 30. Categories rotate; future film/drama/children’s calls are not assumed active.
Application & participation
2026 entry: GBP 58 early / 65 standard. Limited bursaries had a separate August 26 deadline.
Feature · TV pilot · Short · Pitch / treatment / International applicants · Alumni only
An advanced project from a returning Berlinale Talents filmmaker.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Berlinale Talents Lab — formerly Script Station
What it offers
Individual and group mentoring, industry exchange and a public presentation; selected projects can receive development awards.
Eligibility & script requirements
Alumni of the Summit or international hubs only, with qualifying released or festival-selected work. Fiction features, drama series and short-form projects accepted.
Location & commitment
Online preparation followed by attendance during the Berlinale in Berlin.
How to submit
Apply through your existing Talents profile with the format-specific treatment or script materials.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 application cycle closed September 2, 2026. Script, Doc and Short Form Stations merged into this lab starting in 2026.
Application & participation
Confirm application, travel and accommodation arrangements with the next call.
A new feature or short that would benefit from written reader analysis.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for BlueCat Screenplay Competition
What it offers
Written analysis for every entry; USD 3,000 each for feature and short winners, plus a USD 2,000 international Fellini Award.
Eligibility & script requirements
English PDF; features 65–125 pages, shorts 1–29. Prior award-winning material is excluded, as are scripts entered in any competition before December 13, 2023.
Location & commitment
All ages; the Fellini Award requires residence outside the US.
How to submit
Use BlueCat’s submission form and check its unusually strict previous-entry and previous-award rules.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 cycle: new entries close November 10, 2026. December 15 is a resubmission deadline, not a new-entry window.
Application & participation
New-entry rounds: features USD 59–95; shorts USD 25–50. Separate resubmission charges.
A new TV writer interested in CAPE’s mission and intensive script development.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for CAPE New Writers Fellowship
What it offers
Writing lab, individual industry mentor, masterclasses and career workshops spanning multiple entertainment formats.
Eligibility & script requirements
Current program asks for a half-hour or hour pilot and excludes writers currently staffed. FAQ accepts animated pilots; applicants need US work authorization.
Location & commitment
Sessions typically run twice weekly on Pacific-time evenings. The FAQ welcomes all backgrounds; confirm next-cycle conditions.
How to submit
Apply through CAPE’s official call with an original pilot. Older FAQs retain prior-year dates and some superseded format language.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 applications announced for fall 2026; exact window not yet verified.
Application & participation
FAQ lists USD 65 per submission, subject to change; confirm the new call.
A complete narrative feature ready for sustained revision.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Cine Qua Non Script Revision Lab
What it offers
Two-week residential workshop, individual guidance, peer collaboration and an online follow-up.
Eligibility & script requirements
Professional writers or writer-directors with a completed feature and proof of rights. Co-written projects accepted, but only one participant per project.
Location & commitment
English-language residential lab in Tzintzuntzan, Mexico; travel and medical coverage arranged by participants.
How to submit
Submit English full script, synopsis up to three pages, CV and proof of ownership.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 lab August 5–19; next call announced for January 2027, with no exact deadline yet.
Application & participation
USD 50 application and USD 3,750 participation in the reviewed cycle, including lodging and meals; some partner grants available.
Grand-prize fellow receives USD 10,000, twelve months of mentoring and retreat tuition/housing. Other selected entrants may attend for an additional charge.
Eligibility & script requirements
Submit a feature screenplay under CineStory’s current guidelines. The fellowship winner must attend the retreat to receive its benefits.
Location & commitment
Five-day retreat in Idyllwild, California; individual and team attendance options.
How to submit
Enter the Feature Retreat & Fellowship competition via CineStory’s linked application.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 entry ended July 5; retreat October 2–6. Next entry cycle not verified.
A television writer with two strong live-action originals that fit the tonal range of Disney’s television brands.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Disney Entertainment Television Writing Program
What it offers
A year of professional development, pilot work and relationships aimed at staff-writer consideration. Staffing is expressly not guaranteed.
Eligibility & script requirements
21+ by December 1 of the application year; US work eligibility throughout participation. Two original live-action pilots in the same track: half-hour comedy or hour drama/dramedy. No animation, features or existing-show specs.
Location & commitment
International applicants need existing US work authorization; Disney does not sponsor visas. Confirm location requirements before committing.
How to submit
Disney CTDI’s designated online application, scripts, personal essay, resume and staffing pitch.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 application closed June 1, 2026, after opening May 4. Program tentatively January 2027–January 2028. May–June is a planning reference, not a confirmed next cycle.
Application & participation
No application charge. Confirm participation and employment terms in the current program documents.
An original half-hour or hour pilot whose writer wants to revise, refine and practice pitching.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Film Independent Episodic Lab
What it offers
Creative adviser, workshops and a final industry pitch event. One eligible science-focused project receives the USD 20,000 Sloan development grant; science fiction is excluded from that grant.
Eligibility & script requirements
Emerging writers and teams with a complete pilot. The submitted project must never have been pitched to a studio or network. No short-form digital or documentary series.
Location & commitment
International applicants accepted. Confirm the next cohort’s attendance arrangements directly; the current page does not specify them.
How to submit
Film Independent application with pilot, series proposal, synopsis and project history; explain Sloan eligibility in the cover letter.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 cycle closed: February 2 non-member / February 16 member deadlines, after a December 15, 2025 opening. December–February is a planning reference; next call unconfirmed.
Application & participation
USD 65 non-member / 45 member application; USD 105 membership for accepted fellows. Certain membership waivers apply; no lab tuition.
A collaborative writer who wants to develop a new narrative short with a production team.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Film Independent Project Involve — Writing
What it offers
Mentorship, script consultation and a path through short-film production with a cohort of collaborators.
Eligibility & script requirements
21+ by September 1, 2026; individual applicants, no teams. Writing samples demonstrate craft, but the short developed in the program must be newly created around its theme.
Location & commitment
Must reside in Los Angeles; in-person commitment averages 10–12 hours weekly.
How to submit
Apply to the writing or writing/directing track through Film Independent. LAIKA animation is a separate rotating track; the 2027 FAQ lists cinematography, not an open animation-writing place.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 applications ended July 13, 2026 (non-members), July 27 (members), after opening May 18. Live-action program: January–October/November 2027.
Application & participation
Application and membership requirements apply. Teams also fundraise for their shorts; production is not fully underwritten.
Feature / International applicants · Los Angeles presence
An independent feature with a complete draft that would benefit from a focused rewrite and creative adviser.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Film Independent Screenwriting Lab
What it offers
Individual story development, group work, career guidance and a final pitch event with industry executives.
Eligibility & script requirements
Writers at any experience level, including writing teams. Completed fiction feature; English translation accepted. Adaptation rights required. No shorts or television projects.
Location & commitment
International applicants welcome, but attendance is in Los Angeles. Travel, lodging and visas are not subsidized.
How to submit
Film Independent’s application portal; submit screenplay, artistic statement, synopsis and project history.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 applications closed: August 31, 2026 for non-members; September 14 for members. Opened June 29. Summer is the recent-cycle planning window.
Application & participation
USD 65 non-member / 45 member application; selected fellows join at USD 105 annually. Certain membership waivers apply; no lab tuition.
Feature · TV pilot · Short / International applicants
A finished feature, original pilot or short ready for a competitive industry read.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Final Draft Big Break
What it offers
Feature and TV grand-prize packages include USD 10,000 and industry exposure; additional category and short-script awards.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+; English-language scripts not under option. Existing-show specs excluded. Adaptations only from your own work or eligible public-domain material. Shorts: maximum 20 pages.
Location & commitment
Open internationally, subject to local restrictions. Review travel-prize conditions.
How to submit
Online PDF entry via Final Draft’s contest page; Final Draft software is not required.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 closed. Last published extension: June 29, 2026, midnight Pacific. March–June reflects this cycle; no 2027 deadline verified.
Application & participation
2026 standard entries ranged from USD 35–85 by format and round; optional written feedback adds to the total.
A TV writer ready to rewrite a distinctive pilot with professional guidance.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for FOX Entertainment Writers Incubator
What it offers
Three-month workshop for four writers and priority consideration for staffing meetings after completion.
Eligibility & script requirements
One original episodic pilot, resume, bio, personal statement, synopsis, two additional loglines and two references. Comedy, drama and animation welcomed.
Location & commitment
Check the current FAQ for residence, work authorization and attendance rules.
How to submit
Apply through FOX Careers when the next incubator call opens.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 application marked closed after reaching 1,000 entries. Page references October 3–27 without a clear next-cycle year; do not treat that as a new confirmed opening.
Application & participation
Overview mentions a stipend but disclaimers deny financial compensation; confirm the actual participant agreement.
A college writer exploring human relationships with nuance.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Humanitas College Screenwriting Awards
What it offers
Comedy and drama awardees each receive USD 20,000, a professional notes session and community invitations.
Eligibility & script requirements
Currently enrolled college/university writers; category and script rules apply. Distinct from New Voices, with restrictions on submitting the same script to both programs.
Location & commitment
Check the current award’s enrollment and residence requirements.
How to submit
Use the College Screenwriting Awards application and choose the appropriate comedy or drama award.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 applications ran February 18–April 6; winners announced. Next intake not verified.
Feature · TV pilot / US residents · Online participation
An emerging writer with a story that explores the human condition and a clear personal connection to the material.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Humanitas New Voices Fellowship
What it offers
USD 7,500 stipend per fellow, split for teams; professional development and a talent guide circulated to the Humanitas agent/manager network.
Eligibility & script requirements
21+ by August 1, 2026; no film/TV writing representation, prior scripted-TV staffing or qualifying produced writing work. Exceptions and team rules require careful review. Original pilot or feature up to 120 pages.
Location & commitment
Must reside in the United States; citizenship is not required. Programming may be completed virtually; no visa support.
How to submit
Apply through Humanitas with script, logline, synopsis, biography, resume, artist statement and a two-minute video. This is separate from the Humanitas Prizes.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 applications ran February 18–April 6; fellowship September 2026–March 2027. Next intake unannounced. This is not a rolling application.
Application & participation
2026 application: USD 55. A limited number of hardship waivers are available.
Feature · TV pilot / International applicants · Online participation
A disabled professional screenwriter ready for a substantial rewrite.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Inevitable Foundation Accelerate
What it offers
USD 30,000 unrestricted support, four months of rewriting, mentoring, writer groups and industry workshops.
Eligibility & script requirements
Self-identified disabled writer, 18+, not enrolled in a degree program. Professional experience plus a qualifying credit, representation, placement or development-program history required.
Location & commitment
International eligibility subject to program terms; available during Pacific-time working hours.
How to submit
Complete the eligibility questionnaire, writing sample and project-goal materials in the current call.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 applications May 28–June 17; program September–December. Earlier rolling-fellowship information is superseded.
Application & participation
Living-expense support is part of the award; confirm application terms and team allocation.
Feature · TV pilot · TV spec / International applicants · Online participation
A polished script and a writer ready to use individual industry meetings for career development.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for ISA Fast Track Fellowship
What it offers
Two fellows receive eight online industry meetings, pitch preparation, Development Slate access and a year of guidance. Six category selections receive USD 500 each.
Eligibility & script requirements
Original, unencumbered material; no sold, profitably produced or currently optioned scripts. Teams accepted. Features: 70–121 pages; pilots: up to 71. The description welcomes existing-show specs, while the rules still say originals only—confirm spec eligibility.
Location & commitment
Writers worldwide; English-language scripts. General meetings are virtual.
How to submit
Apply through the ISA’s season-specific competition page. Previous Fast Track fellows cannot reapply.
Verified cycle & timing
Fall 2026 is marked closed; published rounds ran April 16–July 30. Spring 2026 ended February 5. These are planning references; no 2027 call verified.
Application & participation
Fall 2026 standard entry: USD 39–79; ISAConnect member entry: USD 29–69. Feedback options cost extra.
Feature · TV pilot · Short · Writing sample / US residents · US attendance required
A practicing screenwriter who needs dedicated creative time and financial support.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Loghaven Artist Residency — Screenwriting
What it offers
Room and board, USD 850 weekly stipend, sliding travel subsidy and limited materials-shipping reimbursement.
Eligibility & script requirements
21+; no degree-program enrollment. Must live more than 120 miles from Knoxville. International artists ineligible; confirm residence/work-status details.
Location & commitment
Residential program in Knoxville, Tennessee; collaborative teams may apply.
How to submit
Use the residency application with writing work samples and the requested project materials.
Verified cycle & timing
Program is active; next application window was not verified on the reviewed program page.
Application & participation
Residency support is provided; confirm the current application amount in the portal.
Feature · Writing sample / International applicants · US attendance required
A filmmaker or screenwriter seeking protected time to develop a project.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for MacDowell Fellowship — Film / Video
What it offers
Private studio, accommodation and three meals daily for up to eight weeks; need-based stipends and travel support available.
Eligibility & script requirements
Artists worldwide, selected for artistic excellence. No degree enrollment during the requested residency season; doctoral candidates with coursework completed may qualify.
Location & commitment
Residential program in Peterborough, New Hampshire.
How to submit
Apply through Film / Video with professional achievements, current work sample and project proposal; confirm screenplay sample specifications.
Verified cycle & timing
Next announced window January 15–February 10, 2027, for September 2027–February 2028 residencies.
Application & participation
No residency charge. Check the application portal for its submission amount and request support where eligible.
A young emerging feature writer with a personal, character-driven voice and an idea for a new screenplay.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Michael Collyer Memorial Fellowship
What it offers
One-year mentorship with a professional screenwriter and a USD 10,000 stipend to write a new original feature, distinct from the application sample.
Eligibility & script requirements
Ages 18–25 under the program’s published bracket. Feature scripts only; no pilots, shorts, plays or prose. Verify the next call’s exact age cutoff and representation rules before opting in.
Location & commitment
Writers Guild Initiative describes a nationwide US program. Check the next Black List call for residence and participation requirements.
How to submit
Hosted through The Black List; follow the fellowship opt-in instructions. An existing feature serves as the writing sample.
Verified cycle & timing
Last verified call opened September 30, 2025 and ended January 9, 2026; a 2026 recipient has been announced. No 2027 intake verified.
Application & participation
Check the active call for hosting requirements and any platform costs; do not assume applying is free.
A completed pilot ready for development sessions and a concentrated pitching opportunity.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Moonshot Initiative Pilot Accelerator
What it offers
Six to eight fellows complete three weeks of training before pitching to participating companies.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+ with a completed pilot. The organization champions women and gender-expansive representation; its FAQ states anyone meeting the age and script criteria may apply.
Location & commitment
Virtual participation; check the next cohort’s required meeting schedule.
How to submit
Submit through Moonshot’s Pilot Accelerator application and review its participant exclusions.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 applications closed May 27 after April and May rounds. Next intake not announced.
An emerging writer with a distinctive feature, short or episodic pilot.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Nantucket Tony Cox Screenplay Competition
What it offers
Feature winner: USD 5,000 and Almanack’s month-long retreat. Short winner: USD 1,000; episodic winners: USD 2,000 each. Festival trips and writer sessions are included.
Eligibility & script requirements
Separate feature, short, half-hour pilot and hour-pilot competitions. Review the edition’s submission rules and emerging-writer criteria.
Location & commitment
Festival and feature retreat take place on Nantucket, Massachusetts.
How to submit
Enter the Tony Cox screenplay route on the festival submission page, not finished-film submissions.
Verified cycle & timing
Organizer says 2027 submissions reopen in fall 2026; exact opening and closing dates not verified.
Application & participation
Check current entry amounts by format and round; winner packages differ from ordinary festival attendance.
TV pilot / US work authorization · Los Angeles required
An emerging episodic writer ready for pilot development and staffing preparation.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for NBC TV Writers Program
What it offers
Executive mentoring, original pilot development, weekly workshops and staffing consideration.
Eligibility & script requirements
21+ by January 1, 2027; US work authorization. Two original pilots; no animation or teams. More than one scripted-series staff-writer credit makes applicants ineligible.
Location & commitment
Los Angeles residence required for the first 12 weeks of in-person evening sessions.
How to submit
Submit two anonymous pilots, resume, release and two essays via NBC’s application portal. Samples need not share a genre.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 submissions closed June 21; target program start January 2027. Next application window unannounced.
Application & participation
Free application; unpaid program with no relocation reimbursement. Staffing is not guaranteed.
A developed screenplay or pilot ready for focused professional feedback.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for New York Stage and Film Filmmakers’ Workshop
What it offers
Mentor notes, masterclasses, housing and a USD 500 stipend.
Eligibility & script requirements
Full feature or original pilot beyond first draft; no partial scripts or treatments. Adaptation rights required; attached producers considered individually.
Location & commitment
Residential workshop in Poughkeepsie, New York. Applicants across the US encouraged; travel support discussed after selection.
How to submit
Submit full script, artistic statement, development goals, resume and a TV bible where applicable.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 application closes November 16, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. Workshop week assigned within June 13–27, 2027.
Application & participation
Application charge applies, with limited waivers. Housing and stipend are provided to selected participants.
A television writer ready for an intensive group process and a new original pilot.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for NHMC Series Scriptwriters Program
What it offers
Eight-week virtual lab, professional mentoring and a final industry pitch opportunity.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+; individuals only. One pilot or spec: hour maximum 59 pages, half-hour maximum 35. Any genre including animation. FAQ welcomes all ethnicities and does not require US citizenship.
Location & commitment
Nationwide program; weekday evenings and Saturday sessions on Pacific time require reliable internet.
How to submit
Submit resume, bio, statement, writing-sample list, one script and its logline.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 deadline was July 27; cohort is underway. No next application window verified.
A writer-director developing a second fiction feature with a distinctive cinematic voice.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Oxbelly Screenwriters Program
What it offers
Individual script sessions, craft workshops and interdisciplinary exchanges with established artists.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+, not a student; applicant must have written and directed one previous fiction feature, at least picture-locked. Original second feature; no third-party adaptations or family animation.
Location & commitment
Eight-day residential retreat in Messinia, Greece; working language English.
How to submit
Submit synopsis, statement, treatment, full screenplay and a debut-feature sample; optional mood board.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 applications closed January 14; retreat July 1–9. Next call unannounced.
Application & participation
No application charge; fellows’ flights, accommodation and meals covered.
Feature · TV pilot · Short / International applicants
A polished genre script. Family features and shorts explicitly include animation.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
What it offers
USD 25,000 grand prize; category awards and promotion to industry contacts. Recognition does not guarantee representation or production.
Eligibility & script requirements
Writers must be over 18 and have earned no more than USD 50,000 from screen/fiction-TV writing, individually or jointly. Original, unencumbered work; no existing-show specs or adaptations of another author.
Location & commitment
International entries welcome; scripts in English.
How to submit
Enter through the official PAGE competition instructions. Features, original TV pilots and shorts have separate categories; shorts under 30 pages.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 closed. Published final deadline: May 8, 2026; winners scheduled October 15. January–May summarizes the 2026 rounds; next-cycle dates unconfirmed.
Application & participation
Entry amount rises by round. Additional genres and optional feedback cost extra; consult the current entry form.
TV pilot · TV spec / US work authorization · Los Angeles presence
An emerging TV writer who needs industry relationships, a stronger sample and a concrete career plan.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Paramount Writers Mentoring Program
What it offers
Executive mentors, workshops, a mock writers’ room and peer support. This is unpaid career development, not employment.
Eligibility & script requirements
21+ and eligible to work in the US. Submit an existing-show spec plus an original sample; original pilots, one-act plays or short fiction qualify. Features and short-film scripts do not.
Location & commitment
In-person Los Angeles activities January–April 2027; participants cover travel and accommodation. International applicants need work authorization.
How to submit
Paramount’s program application with both samples and biographical materials. Writing partners each apply.
Verified cycle & timing
2026–27 cycle closed May 1, 2026; opened April 1. Program scheduled October 2026–April 2027. Ignore the page’s stale “will open” sentence; it confirms the cycle is closed.
Application & participation
No monetary compensation; allow time and budget for Los Angeles participation.
An original television voice interested in Pasifika representation and intensive pilot revision.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for PEAK Pasifika Writers Fellowship
What it offers
Eight weeks of mentoring, script development and industry panels.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+ with US work authorization; all racial backgrounds welcome. Original half-hour or hour pilot; animation, anthology and limited series accepted. Teams may apply.
Location & commitment
Mandatory Monday and Wednesday evening meetings on Pacific time; confirm participation mode in the call.
How to submit
Submit one original pilot through PEAK’s fellowship application.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 applications August 2–16; program August 31–October 21, with revised scripts due November 20.
Application & participation
Free to apply; the overview does not promise a cash award.
Feature · TV pilot · Pitch / treatment / US citizens / permanent residents · Representation required · Los Angeles required
An experienced writer of color developing commercial film or TV for a broad audience.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Rideback RISE Fellowship
What it offers
Twelve-month stipend, creative/business mentors, workspace and discretionary IP or proof-of-concept development support.
Eligibility & script requirements
21+; US citizen or permanent resident, representation required. Qualifying professional work within three years; writing sample must be solely authored and unproduced.
Location & commitment
Based at Rideback Ranch in Los Angeles; sustained participation and project milestones required.
How to submit
Submit screenplay/teleplay sample, three unwritten project ideas, resume, essay, release and references.
Verified cycle & timing
Year 4 application closed. Page lists May 31 in rules and July 24, 2026 in portal; program begins December 2026.
Application & participation
Application charge applies; hardship assistance available. Stipend amount not stated in the reviewed call.
A feature or original pilot whose writer wants structure-focused analysis.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Save the Cat! Screenplay Challenge
What it offers
Every entry receives a 50-point structural analysis; finalists and winners receive competition recognition and cycle-specific benefits.
Eligibility & script requirements
English original features and pilots worldwide; no shorts or existing-show specs. Sold, commercially produced or optioned scripts excluded; minors require guardian permission.
Location & commitment
Online application; read the current terms for winner benefits.
How to submit
Submit through the official challenge page and review its screenplay-format rules.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 cycle closed April 13 and announced winners in August. Next cycle not verified.
Application & participation
2026 TV rounds USD 89–119; feature rounds USD 99–139, including structural analysis.
A higher-concept script with a strong commercial premise.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Script Pipeline First Look Project
What it offers
Six category winners receive USD 2,500 each, development support and industry circulation.
Eligibility & script requirements
Four feature genre categories and two original-pilot categories. No option or shopping agreement at entry; one category per script. Animation accepted for TV.
Location & commitment
Pipeline competitions accept writers worldwide; introductions do not guarantee representation.
How to submit
Submit the full screenplay or pilot through the First Look page.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 next deadline October 15; extended deadline October 30. This is distinct from the annual feature/TV writing contests.
An original feature or series concept ready for development before a full draft.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Script Pipeline Pitch Contest
What it offers
USD 2,500, one-to-one script development, mentoring and circulation when the material is ready.
Eligibility & script requirements
Logline and complete story synopsis required; treatments and decks accepted. No documentaries, shorts, reality, verticals or full screenplays. Some prior Pipeline winners/finalists excluded.
Location & commitment
International entry through Pipeline’s online platform.
How to submit
Submit the concept; optional 3–5 sample script pages can demonstrate your writing.
Verified cycle & timing
Fall/winter cycle: October 10, December 15 and 31, 2026; extended January 15, 2027.
A distinctive completed feature or original pilot seeking development and introductions to representatives and producers.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Script Pipeline Screenwriting & TV Writing Contests
What it offers
Each contest offers USD 20,000 to its winner and USD 1,000 to each finalist, plus mentoring and industry circulation. Quarterfinalists and semifinalists receive development support.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+; co-writers welcome. Unproduced feature or original pilot; no existing-show specs. Screenwriting/TV finalists, runners-up and winners since 2025 are excluded.
Location & commitment
Open to writers worldwide. Features and pilots enter separate competitions.
How to submit
Submit a PDF through the relevant Script Pipeline contest page. Pitch Contest and First Look Project are separate programs with different requirements.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 contests open at review. Next round: December 30, 2026; then March 5, May 1, May 15 and May 31, 2027. September 25 special-entry round has passed.
Application & participation
2027 rounds: USD 45–75 per script; December preregistration USD 50. Each contest entry is separate.
Writing sample · TV pilot / US citizens / permanent residents · Online participation
An emerging writer passionate about children’s educational storytelling.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room
What it offers
Mentorship and workshops to develop an original children’s pilot; selected scripts receive a performer table read.
Eligibility & script requirements
21+; US citizen or permanent resident; individuals only. Limited professional series-writing experience. Original kid-friendly script sample up to 12 pages, without Sesame Street IP.
Location & commitment
Virtual February–June 2027 sessions plus an in-person final session and showcase in New York City.
How to submit
Submit sample, resume, concept description and personal statement via the program application.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 applications September 7–October 5, 2026. Organizer specifies a noon Eastern cutoff; confirm its EST wording before the final day.
Application & participation
Free application and participation; confirm travel arrangements for the New York showcase.
Feature / International applicants · Bay Area residency
An independent narrative feature exploring social justice through character, setting, plot or theme.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for SFFILM Rainin — Screenwriting Grant
What it offers
Up to USD 25,000 plus FilmHouse access, mentorship and development support.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+; key creative applicant; fiction feature with a budget of USD 3 million or less, not work for hire. Demonstrate meaningful social value and benefit to the Bay Area film community.
Location & commitment
International applicants and stories set anywhere are welcome. Screenwriting recipients must complete four weeks in the Bay Area; weeks need not be consecutive. Housing is not provided.
How to submit
SFFILM grant platform, screenwriting stage; initial materials include ten script pages and project statements.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 closed: opened February 10, regular May 8, final May 22. February–May is the recent-cycle reference; next dates unconfirmed.
Application & participation
2026 application: USD 30 regular / 50 final, waived for SFFILM members. Travel may come from the grant; no extra travel stipend.
Feature · TV pilot / Confirm location requirements
A fiction feature or episodic project at the writing stage with realistic science or technology at its center.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for SFFILM Sloan Science in Cinema Fellowship
What it offers
Two projects receive USD 35,000 each, a science adviser, FilmHouse residency and SFFILM artist development support.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+; applicant must be a writer, director or producer in a key creative role. No shorts, documentaries or work-for-hire projects. Science fiction and speculative stories are generally ineligible.
Location & commitment
Includes a Bay Area FilmHouse residency. Confirm residency, attendance and travel arrangements with SFFILM before applying.
How to submit
SFFILM grant portal; project questions and ten consecutive script pages. The public instructions retain a stale 2025 dropdown label, so use the current cycle in the portal.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 opened February 10; regular deadline May 8, final May 22. Applications closed at review; the next cycle is unannounced.
An early screenplay idea grounded in a real scientific discovery.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for SFFILM Sloan Stories of Science Development Fund
What it offers
Two to four grants of USD 10,000–20,000 plus scientific and filmmaking guidance.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+ writer applicant; project inspired by the official Sourcebook. Narrative features supported. Page contains inconsistent episodic language; ask SFFILM before submitting a series.
Location & commitment
Check current residence and participation conditions with SFFILM.
How to submit
One-page treatment, writer statement and prior writing or visual work sample; no completed current screenplay required.
Verified cycle & timing
Organizer announces reopening in 2027; exact application dates not yet published.
Application & participation
Member application charge waived; confirm the general application amount.
An emerging feature writer seeking development and industry introductions.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Shore Scripts Feature Contest
What it offers
Cash awards, support from Shore’s writer development staff and circulation to relevant industry contacts.
Eligibility & script requirements
English feature, normally 80–120 pages; authorized adaptations and animation accepted. Writer/team screenwriting earnings capped at USD 50,000 in the preceding year.
Location & commitment
International applicants; extra-length and rights restrictions apply.
How to submit
Submit through the portal linked on Shore’s feature competition page.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 window April 1–August 28; results continue through December. Next entry cycle unverified.
Application & participation
Entry cost varies by round; extra pages and coverage add to the total.
A narrative short script ready to move toward production, including animation and feature/series proof-of-concept shorts.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Shore Scripts Short Film Fund
What it offers
USD 15,000 production grant, mentoring, production support and conditional ARRI rental. A separate USD 4,000 finishing award supports films already in post-production.
Eligibility & script requirements
English-language script, normally 2–30 pages; up to 45 with a surcharge. Individual/team fiction-screenwriting earnings must not exceed USD 50,000 in the preceding year. Production must start after the winners announcement.
Location & commitment
Worldwide entrants and filming locations; equipment availability and insurance conditions apply.
How to submit
Use Shore’s linked submission portal. Production applications need a screenplay; finishing applications need footage. Review production-credit and completion obligations.
Verified cycle & timing
Fall 2026 open at review. Schedule and FAQ say October 30 final deadline, but the page countdown says October 31. Confirm with Shore; plan for October 30. Spring cycle ended May 4.
Application & participation
Standard submission: USD 39 early, 49 regular, 59 final. Coverage and longer scripts add to the total.
Bold independent storytelling from an emerging screenwriter.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Slamdance Screenplay Competition
What it offers
Brief feedback on every entry; finalist prize packages and a separate mentorship award.
Eligibility & script requirements
Features 41–140 pages; pilots up to 80; shorts up to 40. Unproduced scripts. Writers whose principal income is professional writing are excluded; read prior-award restrictions.
Location & commitment
Online submission; festival-related benefits have separate attendance arrangements.
How to submit
Use Slamdance’s direct form or linked FilmFreeway entry.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 closed August 3 after opening March 18. Next-cycle application dates have not been verified.
Application & participation
2026 entries USD 35–120 by length and round; detailed coverage costs extra.
Showrunner mentorship, workshops and simulated writers’ rooms. Sloan-eligible science stories can receive a USD 17,000 grant.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+; completed English-language pilot; maximum two writers. US produced-sale, career-level and third-party ownership restrictions apply. Projects cannot already be set up or pitching in the US.
Location & commitment
Any nationality/residency. Residential Lab and virtual Intensive use the same application pool.
How to submit
FilmFreeway via Sundance’s official program page. Sloan extension requires the published waiver code and science eligibility.
Verified cycle & timing
General 2027 window ended August 25, 2026. Sloan-only extension remains listed: FAQ says December 14, while calendar says December 3. Confirm with Sundance before relying on either; no general reopening.
Application & participation
USD 50 per application. July–August reflects the general 2027 cycle; Sloan has a separate extension.
A feature filmmaker from a California-based Native tribe.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Sundance Institute Graton Fellowship
What it offers
Two fellows receive USD 25,000 each, a year of mentoring, creative services and festival attendance support.
Eligibility & script requirements
Artists from federally or nonfederally recognized California-based tribes; proof of affiliation or lineal descent required. Narrative feature route requires a full screenplay.
Location & commitment
Tribal affiliation is the defining eligibility requirement; confirm 2027 festival arrangements with Sundance.
How to submit
Apply through Sundance’s Graton Fellowship portal with project materials and tribal documentation.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 applications September 1–November 16, 2026; final cutoff 3:30 p.m. Pacific.
Application & participation
No application charge; grant and participant support provided to selected fellows.
An Indigenous woman-identified filmmaker preparing to direct a feature.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Sundance Institute Merata Mita Fellowship
What it offers
Cash grant, year-round creative support, mentoring and Sundance festival attendance.
Eligibility & script requirements
Indigenous woman-identified artists worldwide looking to direct a feature; this is a writer-director development route, not a general screenplay contest.
Location & commitment
Global program with festival and development participation; confirm next-cycle travel arrangements.
How to submit
Watch Sundance’s Indigenous Program for the next fellowship application and portfolio requirements.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 fellow announced in January. A new application window has not been verified.
Application & participation
Grant amount and current application conditions were not specified in the reviewed announcement.
Adviser-led script development and ongoing artistic support. The Development Track also considers eligible projects for Sloan support.
Eligibility & script requirements
Lab: first- or second-time feature writers/directors. Intensive: first-time feature writers/directors, prioritizing underrepresented artists. A complete draft is needed if advanced; treatment-only consideration is limited to Sloan commissioning.
Location & commitment
International applicants eligible. Lab is residential; Intensive online. Lab travel, lodging and food covered for up to two participants per project.
How to submit
One Development Track application at apply.sundance.org, with separate eligibility questions for associated programs.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 cycle closed May 12, 2026; opened April 14. Lab in January 2027; Intensive in March. April–May is a planning reference, not a future confirmed window.
Application & participation
Application contribution required; no program tuition. Read the alumni giving-back terms.
Feature · Short / US residents · Nomination required · Online participation
An emerging transgender storyteller of color developing a film project.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Sundance Trans Possibilities Intensive
What it offers
Individual feedback, career guidance and a small creative community.
Eligibility & script requirements
US-based transgender artists who are Black, Indigenous or people of color; emerging writer/directors with prior work but no completed major work in the chosen discipline. Nomination and Sundance code required.
Location & commitment
Three-day virtual intensive; participants attend all sessions.
How to submit
Use the invitation-specific application after receiving a nomination code from Sundance.
Verified cycle & timing
2026 applications closed April 28; intensive July 27–29. Next intake and nomination route unannounced.
Application & participation
Confirm participant support and any associated costs with Sundance; no general open-entry route.
Feature / International applicants · Producer required
An advanced first or second feature with a director-producer team already attached.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for TorinoFilmLab FeatureLab
What it offers
Script and production development, market meetings and consideration for production awards up to EUR 50,000.
Eligibility & script requirements
Director’s first or second feature; English first draft required. Director and producer apply together; a separate writer may join. Shooting cannot begin before December 1, 2027.
Location & commitment
June–November 2027: residential modules in Portugal and Turin plus online work.
How to submit
Submit the complete English project dossier, screenplay, budget, financing plan, team profiles and prior work.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 application closes November 5, 2026 at 4 p.m. Central European Time.
Application & participation
EUR 3,500 plus applicable VAT for two; additional writer EUR 2,300. Travel extra; limited partial scholarships.
Feature / International applicants · Travel required
An early-stage fiction feature with a director attached, before a screenplay draft exists.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for TorinoFilmLab ScriptLab
What it offers
Sustained development with script consultants and an international peer group, followed by the TFL Meeting Event.
Eligibility & script requirements
Writer-directors or writer/director teams of two; a writer alone without a director is ineligible. Prior directing work required; English materials and working fluency. Adaptation rights must be secured.
Location & commitment
Worldwide applicants; full attendance at residential European and online modules required.
How to submit
TFL application with synopsis, director’s intention, CV, video statement and previous work. A treatment is requested if shortlisted.
Verified cycle & timing
Verified 2026 call closed November 3, 2025. That cohort runs April–November 2026. Autumn is only a planning reference; a 2027 ScriptLab deadline was not verified.
Application & participation
2026 participation: EUR 2,500 plus applicable VAT; second participant EUR 2,000 extra. Travel extra; limited scholarships. This is substantial training, not a cash-prize contest.
An early-career episodic writer ready to develop craft and industry knowledge.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Warner Bros. Discovery Access Writers Program
What it offers
Masterclasses, collaborative writing and access to executives, showrunners and other industry guests.
Eligibility & script requirements
18+; US resident with US work rights. Applicants may have staffed on zero or one season of US network/streaming television. Two original samples in the same genre required.
Location & commitment
United States eligibility; confirm location and participation schedule for the next cohort.
How to submit
Use the program’s official application link and current rules for sample requirements.
Verified cycle & timing
Program is listed, but a current dated application window was not verified. Do not assume the application link means submissions are open.
Application & participation
Confirm application and attendance costs with the current call; no cash award is promised here.
A non-professional television writer with an original pilot who wants focused development and a supportive cohort.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for WIF × The Black List Episodic Lab
What it offers
Four weeks of development, pitching, mock-room work and industry conversations. Selected 2027 lab writers also join the year-long WIF Fellowship.
Eligibility & script requirements
Supports underrepresented genders. WIF route: no more than USD 25,000 aggregate TV-writing compensation; original pilot. Teams eligible, but a cis male partner does not attend sessions.
Location & commitment
WIF route requires Los Angeles residency and in-person availability.
How to submit
Apply through WIF or The Black List; the routes have different requirements and calendars. This profile’s verified window is WIF’s.
Verified cycle & timing
WIF 2027 window: October 1–November 2, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Pacific. Lab scheduled March 2027. Some FAQ attendance text still says 2026; confirm session dates directly.
Application & participation
WIF route: USD 40 per application for non-members; member rates available. Black List route has separate terms.
A writer seeking sustained mentoring, community and an intentional career plan alongside script development.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for WIF Writer Fellowship
What it offers
Year-long mentor circles, workshops, connections and individual career strategy. The 2027 cohort runs June 2027–May 2028.
Eligibility & script requirements
Program advances women, nonbinary and trans creatives. Writer applicants need a strong, complete, unproduced feature or episodic script and clear professional goals.
Location & commitment
Must be local to Los Angeles for a mix of in-person and virtual participation.
How to submit
Choose the Writer track in WIF’s Fellowship application. Episodic Lab applicants may also opt into fellowship consideration.
Verified cycle & timing
2027 published window: October 1, 2026–January 6, 2027; Creative-level-and-above members through January 13. Confirm your applicable deadline in the form.
Application & participation
Check the current application for contribution and membership options; no universal amount verified.
Feature · TV pilot · Writing sample / US citizens / permanent residents
A military veteran with some writing experience who wants to develop a fresh feature or pilot.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Writers Guild Foundation Veterans Writing Project
What it offers
Professional writer mentoring and a structured development community beginning with a retreat.
Eligibility & script requirements
US military veteran, 21+, US citizen or permanent resident. Prior participants from 2015 onward are excluded. Participants begin a new project rather than revise an existing one.
Location & commitment
Review the next cycle’s retreat location and ongoing attendance commitments.
How to submit
Apply with the requested writing sample and service information through the foundation.
Verified cycle & timing
2026–27 application closed February 3, 2026; program launched in June. Next intake unannounced.
Application & participation
Confirm participation and travel arrangements in the new call.
Feature · TV pilot · Writing sample / International applicants · US attendance required
A screenwriter seeking uninterrupted time and an interdisciplinary arts community.
Benefits, eligibility & application details for Yaddo Artist Residency — Screenwriting
What it offers
Two weeks to two months with room, meals and studio space.
Eligibility & script requirements
Professional or promising emerging artists worldwide. No degree-program enrollment or degree-completion work; applicants may apply only every other calendar year.
Location & commitment
Residential program in Saratoga Springs, New York; travel is the artist’s responsibility.
How to submit
Film & Video screenwriters submit a two-page excerpt and a longer screenplay sample up to 30 pages or 10,000 words.
Verified cycle & timing
Published recurring cycles: June 1–July 1 and November 1–December 20. Summer may close early at its application cap; confirm the next portal.
Application & participation
USD 35 application; residency room and board included. Modest access grants may help with attendance costs.